18 Father’s Day Books That Cover All of Dad’s Interests

From sports history to science projects, these books will entertain him for hours.

1,000 Record Covers, by Michael Ochs

Photo by amazon.com

For the dad who still has a collection of records somewhere in the house, this anthology of album art will capture his interest for hours. Famous music archivist and rock photographer Michael Ochs has selected the best covers from his extensive private collection, and his book takes readers through the evolution of rock music from the 60s to the 90s.

See America: A Celebration of Our National Parks & Treasured Sites, by the Creative Action Network

Photo by amazon.com

Given the National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, this book is both thoughtful and timely. If Dad is an avid traveler or just has a serious case of wanderlust, he’ll love thumbing through the various graphic posters illustrating a beautiful park or national monument.

Letters to My Dad

Photo by papersource.com

A collection of envelopes, each with a different prompt for the letter inside. Prompts include: “the best adventure we’ve had together,” “my favorite memory,” and “one thing I love about our family.” What results is a time capsule of memories and letters that Dad can read and re-read for years to come.

The Smartest Book in the World, by Greg Proops

Photo by amazon.com

This combines two of Dad’s favorites—comedy and the quest to know it all. The culture compendium covers tons of historical and current references, meaning he’ll be equipped with plenty of trivia to share at future family gatherings.

The League of Outsider Baseball, by Gary Cieradkowski

Photo by amazon.com

This book of baseball history is perfect for the father who grew up playing (or just loving) the sport. It includes stories of baseball’s lesser-known players, as well as a look at great athletes before they hit the Major Leagues. Pages include portraits and vintage-style baseball cards, making this one book he’ll want to read and display on the shelf.

Miracle at Augusta, by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge

Photo by amazon.com

If he’s a Patterson fan, the author's newest novel is a necessary addition to his bookshelf. It centers on Travis McKinley, an amateur golfer who unexpectedly wins the PGA Senior Open. He pairs up with a troubled teenager to conquer the world’s most respected golf course.

Dead Wake, by Erik Larson

Photo by amazon.com

This New York Times bestseller examines and retells the story of the Lusitania, a luxury ocean liner considered to be the fastest cruise ship in the world during WWI. The ship sank in May 1915, carrying with it a record number of infants and children. Larson’s carefully researched story attempts to answer many of the questions surrounding the disaster.

Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments, by Mike Adamick

Photo by amazon.com

This book has 30 interactive experiments for Dad to try in the house (or outside if they get too messy). It covers all of the sciences, from chemistry to human anatomy. You can even make “Marshmallow Pulse Keepers.” Curious yet?

Tom Brokaw: A Lucky Life Interrupted, by Tom Brokaw

Photo by amazon.com

Brokaw’s memoir is based on a journal he kept during the scary, emotional year that he was diagnosed with cancer. In addition to remembering his career highlights, he treats his illness like a reported story—and aims to help people understand his illness and handle similar battles in their own lives.

Who Built That, by Michelle Malkin

Photo by amazon.com

If Dad loves to know where things came from, or how they were built, he’ll appreciate this history of the American pioneers and inventors who created some of the most essential items we take for granted—like railroad signs, plastics, and even bottle caps.

Oldman’s Guide to Outsmarting Wine, by Mark Oldman

Photo by amazon.com

The complete guide for the guy who likes his white as much as his red. In 108 short chapters, author Mark Oldman wittily explains the basics of wine. The book also features a pronunciation table, wine picks by price range, and suggestions for food pairings.

The three-volume Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia has everything he’s ever wanted to know about Jedi Knights and Sith Lords, including a timeline of major events and insiders’ skinny on the film franchise. May the Force be with him.

The Complete Cartoons of The New Yorker by Robert Mankoff, Adam Gopnik, and David Remnick

Photo by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.

Keep him laughing with this collection of more than 2,000 sophisticated funnies. Bonus: The book comes with two easily searchable CDs loaded with every cartoon―more than 68,000!―featured in the magazine since it began publishing in 1925.